Alleged drunk driver crashes into light pole, then drives to get groceries and hits another car

While allegedly under the influence, a Thurston County man may have also committed two separate hit & run accidents a few blocks apart, on Sat., April 10, before being placed under arrest a mile away and then being driven home by Tumwater Police.

The first accident hit a large green light pole at the Littlerock Rd SW and Odegard Rd SW roundabout, leaving the license plate of the car’s owner, Robert Micielli. The second accident occurred at the Trosper Road Safeway store in Tumwater, where the same vehicle, a black 2019 Nissan Altima, was wedged up against the back of an occupied Chrysler van.

Witnesses to the light pole accident at the Odegard Rd SW roundabout said that they heard a crash at 1:25 p.m., then saw a black vehicle driving away northbound on Littlerock Rd SW. Other vehicles nearby were said to have chased after the black car to get it to stop, according to Tumwater Police.

Tumwater Police arrived and began investigating the Odegard Rd SW roundabout crash, where the light pole had sustained significant damage to the pedestal and there were several pieces of black vehicle trim along with a dented license plate registered to Micielli left at the scene. Tumwater Police noticed a puddle of fluid and scratches along the sidewalk and wet tire marks on Littlerock Rd SW northbound.

As Tumwater Police’s investigation into the light pole crash began, dispatch advised them there was another collision reported at 2:02 p.m. at the Safeway parking lot.

Found by police outside of his damaged vehicle, Micielli was lying on the ground with several people standing around him. There was significant damage to the Altima, with a large indentation, tearing, paint transfer (green paint, matching the damage light pole at the Odegard Rd SW roundabout), and the fluid was leaking from the car. The vehicle was also missing its front-end license plate.

Tumwater Police approached Micielli, who was disoriented and unable to stand under his own power. Tumwater Fire evaluated Micielli at the scene, finding no head injuries or signs of a concussion.

Micielli told Tumwater Police that he had gone to Safeway to get groceries, which is four miles away from his house. He said he may have hit the Chrysler van in front of him, but didn’t think the van was damaged. Micielli told Tumwater Police that he had “a few” vodka-tonics earlier in the day. He did not recall hitting the light pole at the Odegard Rd SW roundabout.

The driver of the Chrysler van said that she was waiting inside the van for a family member to finish shopping, and felt a “bump.” She said she watched Micielli exit the driver-seat of the 2019 Nissan Altima and stumble to the ground. Safeway-provided CCTV footage showed Micielli as the only occupant of the Altima when it arrived at 1:55 p.m. in the parking lot. Micielli is shown exiting the driver-seat, talking with the occupants of the Chrysler before he falls down on the ground.

Tumwater Police said that Micielli’s clothes were disheveled and that there was a strong odor of intoxicating beverage emanating from his person. To Tumwater Police, Micielli appeared sweaty, face red, eyes watery and droopy. According to the Tumwater Police report, Micielli struggled to focus on the questions asked of him, which had to be repeated several times, and Micielli would respond “yes” to questions without providing specific answers.

Micielli had a voluntary Standardized Field Sobriety Test conducted on him by Tumwater Police. His pupils were unable to track the officer’s movements and Micielli struggled to keep his eyes open as they were “watery, droopy and unfocused.” Micielli was unable assume the starting position to do the “Walk and Turn” test and Tumwater Police discontinued the test with the belief that Micielli could not do so safely under his own power.

Micielli was unable to provide a voluntary Preliminary Breath Test and Tumwater Police were unclear whether he was not understanding the directions or intentionally doing so due to his perceived intoxication level.

The Draeger machine breath test administered by Tumwater Police but was deemed inconclusive. Micielli was placed under arrest and transport to his home. A criminal history check by Tumwater Police showed no previous DUI convictions.